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Posted on Tue, Feb 5, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.

Whitmore Lake pond hockey tournament gets final go ahead

By Pete Cunningham

The snow has been shoveled for many of the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic rinks on Whitmore Lake.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

The up and down weather in the area caused the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic to be rescheduled two weeks ago and put this weekend's event at Whitmore Lake in jeopardy as well.

But organizers received the final go-ahead from the Department of Natural Resources Monday night and the tournament is officially a go.

Officials measured the ice thickness on Monday night and gave the final thumbs up for the three-day spectacular which will run February 8-10.

In addition to a the three-day 4-on-4 tournament, which organizers are expecting 120-140 teams to participate in, there are events such as concerts, a polar plunge for charity, food and beer tents, a rink dedicated to family skating and much more.

John Ciaramitaro, one of the owners of the Whitmore Lake Tavern, said it's like the winter version of the Fourth of July celebration.

“This town fills up full of people, families, hockey players. It’s a gas. It’s a total gas," Ciarmitaro said. "It’s a great time."
“This annual event is a favorite for hockey players across Michigan as well players throughout the Midwest and Canada. We had to cancel last year’s event due to the inclement weather and no ice, as you can image we are itching to get back on the ice this year and celebrate the game of hockey,” said tournament director Ed Gentile in a press release.